Worton in Kent County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Taking Command

Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail

—War of 1812 —

By Don Morfe, January 30, 2015

1. Taking Command Marker

Inscription. Lieutenant Colonel Philip Reed, buried here in 1829, excelled among Maryland militia officers. Reed countered several of the British hit-and-run raids along the Eastern Shore. His men fended off the enemy’s attack at Worton Creek and claimed victory at Caulk’s Field. Reed served as a U.S. senator (1806-1813) and was twice elected to Congress following the war.

“The enemy having made every effort in his power…manifested no disposition to follow us up, but retreated about the time our ammunition was exhausted.” –Lt. Colonel Philip A. Reed, September 3, 1814.

Timely VictoryReed is best known for commanding the Maryland militia that withstood the British assault at Caulk’s Field August 31, 1814. The victory boosted American morale following the British attack on Washington a few days earlier. (Image Cincinnati Museum of Art)

(Inscription under the sketch on the left) This British sketch depicting the Battle of Caulk’s Field shows American positions in green and British positions in red and blue. Image: Courtesy National Archives of the United Kingdom, London.

Erected by National Park Service-United States Department of the Interior.

Location. 39° 17.448′ N, 76° 5.532′ W. Marker is in Worton, Maryland, in Kent County. Marker is on Lambs Meadow Road. Touch for map. The marker is located on the grounds of Christ Church I.U. and Cemetery. Marker is in this post office area: Worton MD 21678, United States of America.

4. Colonel Phillip Reed's grave marker with Christ Church in the background

By Don Morfe, January 30, 2015

5. Christ Church I.U.

By Don Morfe, January 30, 2015

6. Signs at the entrance to the Church and Cemetery

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on February 3, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Md 21234. This page has been viewed 251 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 3, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Md 21234. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.